2011 WU Update: Day 1 of Competitions

The ice hockey tournament took off today

ERZURUM – Today, January 1^st the first day of competitions of the 25^th Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey started. Prior to the Opening Ceremony, which was scheduled at 19h30 at the Cemal Gürsel Stadium, the ice hockey tournament already started with three games played in the men’s competition in the 3,000-seat arena and also three games played in the women’s competition in the adjacent 500-seat arena.

It took the Czechs until the end in the first period to score

Host Turkey faced-off the first game of the men’s tournament against Czech Republic at 9h30. Although not your regular ice hockey country, the Turkish team defended itself well during the first period and was able to avert the numerous Czech attacks on its net. Nevertheless in the second and third period, the Czechs showed they’re a hockey nation beating the hosts 16-0.

No luck for the Turkish Women’s team either. They also lost with double digits. Team Great Britain, which ended last in the inaugural women’s tournament at the 24^th Winter Universiade in Harbin, China in 2009, beat Team Turkey 10-0.

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

 TUR vs. CZE (M)

USA vs. SVK (W)

(Photos: C. Pierre/FISU)

Today’s Results                                

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY

CZE vs. TUR: 16-0

RUS vs. JPN: 3-2

SLO vs. CAN: 0-9

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

USA vs. SVK: 1-5

GBR vs. TUR: 10-0

CAN vs. FIN:  2-1 after penalty shots